The University of Leicester has recorded a strong improvement in the 2026 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, reaching 125th globally and 34th in the UK. The result marks a continued rise after a notable increase in last year’s rankings.
The QS framework assesses Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance. The metrics focus on how institutions embed sustainability across research, operation,s and community engagement.
Leicester’s performance reflects the depth of its environmental and climate-focused research. The university hosts key national facilities and research groups working on air-quality monitoring, peatland conservation, methane reduction, and broader climate-resilience modelling. Its Institute for Environmental Futures continues to develop policy and innovation pathways for organisations responding to climate pressure.
The university has aligned its operations with the UN Sustainable Development Goals since 2017 and is progressing towards its 2040 net-zero commitment. For businesses and public-sector partners, Leicester’s ranking shift reinforces its position as a growing source of evidence-based expertise, sector-relevant climate insights, and collaborative research capacity.
